In 2024, tornadoes worldwide caused 90 confirmed deaths, with the United States (53), China (14), and South Africa (12) suffering the highest tolls. The US year began quietly, but a shift in the El Niño pattern in April triggered a month-long outbreak spree from April 26 to May 26, producing nearly 700 tornadoes, including devastating events on April 26 and May 6–8. This activity made 2024 the second most active year on record in the US, with 1,796 confirmed tornadoes (trailing only 2004's 1,817), and set new state records for Oklahoma, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia. Oklahoma experienced its first EF4 tornado since 2016 near Marietta, and a second EF4 in Barnsdall marked the first time since 2013 the state saw more than one violent tornado. Internationally, notable events included an IF1.5 tornado in Belgium on January 3, while China confirmed 27 tornadoes, and the year marked the final stretch of a record EF5 drought (which ended the following year). Overall, 2024 stands as the busiest season of the 2020s, highlighting a dramatic return of intense, widespread tornadic activity across the United States and significant events globally.